FG Arraigns Five over June 2022 Owo Catholic Church Massacre

The Federal Government on Monday arraigned five men before the Federal High Court in Abuja over their alleged involvement in the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.

The defendants — Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar — are facing a nine-count terrorism charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) in case number FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025. The attack claimed over 40 lives and left more than 100 people injured.

Prosecutors alleged that the accused were members of the Al Shabab terrorist group, operating a cell in Kogi State, and carried out the attack in furtherance of their religious ideology. They are also accused of plotting the assault in meetings held in May and early June 2022 before executing it on June 5, 2022, using IEDs and AK-47 rifles to kill, injure, and hold worshippers hostage.

The charge further detailed that the defendants possessed explosive devices and firearms, detonated IEDs to cause death and grievous harm, and targeted specific victims.

All five pleaded not guilty. Prosecution counsel Calistus Eze requested their remand in DSS custody pending trial, while defence lawyer Abdullahi Muhammad asked the court to order the DSS to grant the defendants’ families and lawyers access to them, noting they had been in custody since 2022 without contact.

Justice Emeka Nwite ordered the accused to remain in DSS custody and directed that they be allowed access to their families and legal representatives. The trial is set to begin on August 19.